Friday, October 13
Acts 12:4-10
And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.
Devotional:
Prayer and God’s purposes are a common theme used in Acts and they play an important role in the mission and growth of the church. In chapter 12 we see that Paul had been captured by the king of Judea, Herod Agrippa, who was at this time persecuting the church. He had also just captured James, the brother of John, and had him put to death by the sword (Acts 12:2). The sentence carried out on James pleased Agrippa’s constituents and he looked to gain even more favor with them through the capture and possible execution of Peter. However, we read that the people of the church gathered together in prayer for Peter’s deliverance (12:5) and very likely these prayers reflected the words found in the Psalms (e.g., 17:13; 22:20; 31:1, 15; 43:1; 142:7). In response to the prayers of the church – and in line with His perfect purpose – God sent an angel to release Peter, and did so through an action that proved to be unbelievable to both the church (12:15) and Peter himself (12:9). Unhindered by guards, chains or prison walls, an angel suddenly and silently appears, rouses Peter, and leads him to safety according to God’s perfect purpose.
As we see here in Acts 12, it is God’s purposes rather than the merits or faith of individuals that drive the mission and expansion of the church. God may orchestrate His purposes behind the scenes or through angels as He did here in Acts 12, but it is always His purposes that are at work in and through the prayers of the Church. The church doesn’t grow and thrive based on the works of men, but based on the perfect plan of God. His perfect plan is to grow His Church through the imperfect prayers and obedience of those who follow closely after Him. What a mighty God we serve!
Prayer:
Holy Father, we are unworthy, imperfect and wholly inadequate to carry out Your awesome plan; yet, You desire to use us for that very thing. Lord, give us a prayerful heart, a trusting mind and a humble spirit to follow Your working in our lives as You carry out Your perfect plan. Help us to cast off everything that hinders us from being wholly devoted to you. Foster within us a devotion to You and to one another. Spur us on to love and to do good works. May Your name be glorified and may the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing to You, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Application:
Challenge yourself to PRAY in a new way today, trusting that He will carry out His perfect plan and purpose in your life and in the life of the church. Ask Him to move you to love all you come in contact with at home, work, school, etc. Willingly offer yourself to His working and remember that He is powerful, mighty and able to work all things according to His purpose. Go in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. May He be glorified by all that you say and do.